14 things we learn in the new NME (19 August 2009)

The Big Pink have ditched a fan-favourite from their debut album because it
sounded like Snow Patrol. Milo Cordell from the 2009 NME Philip Hall Radar Award
winners confesses: "We dumped ['Stop The World'] off the M40 on the way back from the gig." Pic: Guy Eppel

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Kasabian

Kasabian, Mystery Jets, Reverend And The Makers and Calvin Harris are among the
acts Guinness have recruited to celebrate its 250th birthday. The series of gigs
will run in various venues in Dublin on Arthur's Day, September 24 and you could
be there. Head to NME.COM/win to win one of three pairs of VIP tickets each,
plus three nights in a five-star hotel and flights anywhere in the UK. Pic: Andy Whitton

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Oxegen Festival 2008 – Ireland

Interpol's Paul Banks stole from The Wu-Tang Clan while making his debut solo
album. " I totally stole a beat from (Wu-Tang leader) RZA for a song, I think
he's a genius," Banks frankly admitted to DJ Iain Baker when he came into our
studios to record two songs in session. Pic: PA Photos

Supergrass have formed a "Bowie-inspired" band, The Hot Rats, with 'Radiohead's sixth member',
Nigel Godrich. "Bowie made 'Pin Ups', a record that was covers, but it was a
record that was very much part of his repertoire," Godrich tells NME, discussing the
covers-only project.

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Natalie Imbruglia has spent the last few months with Chris Martin. The soap pop
princess has been working with Coldplay's frontman to produce tracks for her
forthcoming new album. "When I worked with Chris Martin he was very honest and
brutal with me and helped me with my tracklisting and we got rid of the
riff-raff. Sometimes we agreed, sometimes we disagreed..." she explained.

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ellie goulding

Radar newcomer Ellie Goulding has an influential celebrity fan in the form of Mark Ronson. The folk
songstress tells us how she was flown across the Atlantic by the man himself.
"Someone had played my stuff and he was really into it, so he called my manager
and asked if I'd want to work with him". Pic: Dean Chalkley

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Cornershop once collaborated with Noel Gallagher back in 2002. "When Noel played
on 'Spectra Mornings' (Epic track on 2002's 'Handcream For A Generation') he
just went for it. He put down about six or eight tracks of guitar down on a
15-minute track, so he was there for quite a while," guitarist Ben Ayres recalls
in What Rock 'N' Roll Has Taught Us.

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Peter Doherty

The Libertines will reform for next year's festival season, according to Pete
Doherty. "It's going to happen, you know," Peter asserts. "But there's Biggles
[Carl Barat] to worry about. I spoke to [Libs bassist John] Hassall. He's doing
a Buddhist course - and he's got a kid on the way, but he's well up for it.
Definitely". Pic: Mathieu Zazzo

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Liam Gallagher is uncertain what the future holds for Oasis. In our special
V preview issue, the usually self-assured frontman speaks out: "For the first
time in my life, I don't have a fucking clue what's going on with Oasis..."

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Michael Jackson 40th

A film featuring footage from Michael Jackson's rehearsals for his 'This Is It'
London 02 Arena residency has got a release date. The movie, also titled 'This Is
It', will hit cinemas on October and features behind-the-scenes footage and
interviews with Jackson's friends and collaborators on the show. Pic: PA Photos

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The Maccabees are swapping the regular festival circuit in favour of a "dream"
trip to Africa. The Londoners will play will play Malawi's vinspired Lake Of
Stars Festival (October 15-18). Guitarist Felix White shares his excitement -
"It's a dream," he told NME. "It's the biggest thing we've ever done and
there will be a huge celebration at the end of it!" Pic: Andy Willsher

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We list the must-see bands of V Festival 2009 in NME this week. In our V preview
issue you'll find the latest news on Liam Gallagher and his clothing range, Mr
Hudson and his relationship with Kanye West, plus N-Dubz and MGMT - so you can
impress your mates when you get there. Pic: Andy Fallon

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N-Dubz

N-Dubz are the envy of us all: "Girls want to be like Tulisa, guys want to be
like me or Faze," band member Dappy declared when asked what makes the North
Londoners special. Pic: Andy Whitton